Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene (IH) Practice Test 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

Pressure caused by the motion of air is the dynamic pressure, also called velocity pressure. It represents the kinetic energy per unit volume of the moving air and is given by q = 1/2 ρ v^2, so it is always zero or positive because velocity is squared. This distinguishes it from static pressure, which is the pressure present in the fluid regardless of motion, and from total pressure, which is the sum of static and dynamic (velocity) pressures. In devices like pitot-static tubes, the dynamic (velocity) pressure is the component that rises with airflow and is what you infer from the difference between stagnation (total) and static pressures.